Thats a good start, I said. But we need to find out about Russell somehow. On the phone last night he said something about buying and selling. He could have been calling his helpers.
George peered through the windows of the dark SUV. This is Russells. Hey, his phone is on the console. George cackled and opened the door.
What are you doing? Bess asked, as George pushed buttons.
Checking what number he called last. Its a 212 area code. Thats New York City. Lets go up on the hill. She pushed buttons as we walked. The magic of redial, she muttered.
Hell be able to tell someone was messing with his phone! Bess exclaimed.
Only if he checks the calling record, George said, which he wont. And even if he does, he wont know who it was. She pushed Send as we topped the hill, then held the phone to her ear and spoke. Hello? Im sorry, who did you say this was? Oh, I have the wrong number. Sorry.
She closed the phone. Its a stockbrokers office.
I guess he was just keeping track of his investments, I said.
All right. Let me check Abby, George said. A minute later she added, Abbys rock shop is legitimate, in Sedona, Arizona. But she doesnt just sell crystals and jewelry. She sells small fossils, too.
Interesting, I said. But hardly proof. All right. Lets look through her tent and car. Does anybody know which car is hers?
I saw Abby getting something from that silver SUV, Bess said.
It was locked. Who locks their vehicle out here in the middle of nowhere? George asked.
Bess rolled her eyes. Yeah. Its not like anyone would look inside.
Its strange, though, I said slowly. With all her talk about nature and crystals and macrobiotic diets, Id expect her to drive something more energy conscious, like my hybrid.
Yeah, or an old VW Bug, George said. But not this gas-guzzler.
I glanced at my watch. We should have another hour before everyone gets back for lunch. George, see what else you can find on Abby. I want to look through her tent.
Bess yawned. Ill keep watch to warn you if anyone comes back early.
Abby had a small air mattress, a sleeping bag, a bag with the usual toiletries, and a romance novel. The net pocket by the door held a good flashlight and two candy bar wrappers. She must have been keeping everything else in her locked vehicle.
I sat back on my heels and thought. Abby drove an SUV, and ate candy in her tent after eating health food in front of everyone. She had secrets. But did that mean she was the fossil thief?
I went through her tent again. This time I searched more carefully, for any tiny clue that might be hidden. I flipped through the pages of the book, but didnt see any extra scribbles. I felt the lining of the makeup bag. I even examined the attached tag, made of leather with a plastic window. Her name and address showed through.
I stared at the name. Abby Morningstar. It sounded like one of those new age last names people give themselves. I wondered what name shed been born with.
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On a hunch, I slid out the name tag. The writing on the back was faded, probably several years old. Abigail Eback.
I slid the tag back into the holder and crawled out of the tent. I waved to Bess. Come on. Lets join George.
She looked up as we crested the hill. Nothing new yet.
Try looking up Abigail Eback. I explained what Id found in Abbys tent.
A minute later George said, Im not getting anything on Abigail or Abby. There arent even too many Ebacks. Lets see Wait a minute. The Arizona Reptile Zoo. Run by Darryl and Dustin Eback. They have snakes, lizards, and spiders. She frowned. Spiders arent reptiles.
Those two brothers! I exclaimed. I frowned. I knew there was something familiar about those two guys. I had a sense of déjà vu when we first saw them. It was their unusual eyes. Abbys are unusual too.
Its Abby! George said.
It has to be, I agreed. Ill bet those guys are her sons, and
No, look. George nudged me. Its Abby. Sure enough, she was entering camp.
The Fossil Escapes!
Whats she doing back so early? Come on. I waved as I approached her. Whats up? Where are the others?
Still working, she said. But I have a long drive, so I thought Id pack up and get started. Theyre just hauling heavy loads today, and thats not really my thing.
I see. My mind raced. Id thought wed have all day to get proof and confront Abby. But now that her sons had the fossil, she was taking off to meet them.
I snuck the walkie-talkie out of the tool pile, and dragged George and Bess behind our tent. We have to call Kyle.
We tried, but got no answer. I finally gave up. They must have turned off the other one. I bit my lip. George, run back to the dig and tell Kyle. Get help!
She took off without a word. I hissed to Bess, We have to stall her. We joined Abby, who had already emptied her tent. Well help you pack. Were not doing anything until lunchtime.
We were as slow and clumsy as we could be, but folding up a tent just doesnt take that long. We managed to annoy Abby, but she still had her SUV packed up in twenty minutes. It would take at least another twenty minutes for George to return with Kyle, even if they ran the whole way.
Why dont you stay for lunch? I asked Abby. The others will be back soon.
Abby grimaced. I cant eat all that rich food, full of meat and preservatives. I have some carrot sticks in the car. That will hold me through this afternoon.
Bess and I tried to make small talk, but Abby got into her SUV, slammed the door, and backed out.
We have to follow her, I said.
Shell see us, Bess said.
Well stay back, but we have to take that chance. Otherwise, shell get away.
We got into my car and turned it around. Abby was already out of sight around a corner. I bounced over the rough road, going as quickly as I dared. I knew my hybrid couldnt keep up with the SUV on dirt roads, if Abby hurried.
I spotted her in the distance. Come on, come on, I muttered, willing the car to go faster. Bess held on to the door with one hand and the dashboard with the other.
The walkie-talkie crackled. Nancy? Come in?
Bess grabbed it. George? Abby took off! Were following her.
Were on our way back. Where are you headed?
Toward the highway.
Well be right behind you.
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I smiled. Now that we had backup, I was sure we could stop Abby.
A bang echoed through the car as a rock, flipped up by the wheel, hit the bottom. I jumped and clutched the steering wheel harder.
We came to a rut so deep I needed one wheel in the bushes to straddle it. I didnt have time to crawl through that area, so I just aimed and hoped for the best.
Bess squealed, Watch out!
The back of the car started sliding. I grappled for control.
The wheels slid into the ruts. I heard an unpleasant crunch as the underside of my car high-centered.
I winced but pressed the gas. My wheels spun. The car didnt move.
I watched the SUV disappear.
Oh, no! I turned off the car. Well never get out of here in time.
Bess sighed. You did your best. Now what?
I leaned my head against the steering wheel for a moment, then straightened. We do everything we can to go after her.
I jumped out of the car and Bess followed. If we can just push this back wheel a little to the right, we should get traction again, I said. Good thing the hybrid is so light.
Bess perched on the edge of the drivers seat, where she could control the pedals with one foot and push with the other out on the ground. I leaned against the back corner of the car and shoved.
All right, I called, give it a little gas.
The wheels started to spin slowly. Dust billowed in my face.
A wheel caught, then held. The car inched forward. Bess pulled both her feet in so she could concentrate on her driving.
A minute later we were out of the rut. Bess slid over so I could get into the drivers seat. I doubt well catch her now, she said.
Our best hope is to see which way she turns on the highway, I said, easing the car forward.
If we dont get stuck again. Wait whats that sound?
I listened. An engine? Were too far to be hearing Abby.
We looked around. A dirty white pickup truck bounced across the scrubland in the distance. Its Jimmy! Bess cried. Maybe he can help.
Get out and wave. I hit the horn three short blasts, three long ones, three short ones. Hopefully Jimmy recognized SOS.
The truck turned and bumped toward us. I eased my car to the side of the road in a wide spot and got out as Jimmy pulled up. He leaned out the window. You stuck again?
We ran to him. No, but we have to follow someone. I pointed to where Abby had disappeared. We have to find out where that SUV goes.
Better jump in, then, he said.
Bess slid in next to him, and I jumped up beside her. Jimmy took off as we were still fumbling for our seat belts. Its one of the women from the dig. Abby, I said. Someone stole a fossil last night, and we think shes involved.
That gal stole a fossil from the dig?
Her sons, anyway, I said. They tied up Steffi and took the most valuable fossil.
What! He scowled, hunched over, and drove faster. Bess and I held on to anything we could reach.
Steffi is all right, Bess said.
She wouldnt like being tied up none, Jimmy muttered. In minutes we reached the highway and screeched to a stop.
I scanned the road, first left, then right. That way! I said, pointing toward a faint dot of silver.
Jimmy turned onto the highway. Bess spoke into the walkie-talkie. George? Were on the highway. We turned right.
Gotcha. Her voice crackled. Were at camp. Be there soon.
Jimmy gained on the SUV. I hoped we wouldnt have to follow Abby all the way to Arizona. What would we do if we caught her, anyway? We didnt have proof that she was involved in the theft, just suspicions. If she was smart, the valuable fossil would never show up in her shop. Shed sell it secretly. She probably already knew interested buyers who wouldnt ask questions.
We could only wait and see what happened. A few minutes later the SUV took an exit ramp. Duck down, I said to Bess. Jimmy, keep her in sight. Hopefully she wont pay attention to the truck.
We followed, entering a small town. It was basically a gas station with a convenience store and diner, and a handful of scattered houses. I peered over the dashboard and saw the SUV pull around behind the store.
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Jimmy parked in front. Nothing behind there. She must be stopping. Ill run inside and ask them to call the police.
Bess gave our location to George. We got out and crept around the side of the building. Some big garbage cans at the back gave us cover so we could see.
Abby was out of the SUV, talking to the two young blond men. The off-road vehicle sat in the bed of a cherry red pickup truck. They figured out it was you, Abby said. I told you it was a mistake to show up yesterday. Youd better load it into my car. If anyone stops you, we dont want them to find that fossil.
The men climbed into the bed of their truck. It would take only a couple of minutes to transfer the fossil. We have to stall them, I whispered.
How? Bess asked.
Good question. There were three of them and three of us, but I didnt think we could hold them back physically. Jimmy joined us. Tony, the convenience store owner, is calling.
Do you think you could bring your truck around and block in their cars? I asked.
He studied the two vehicles, parked about fifteen feet apart. One of them, anyway. You want me to?
Yes. Hurry.
He took off back around the corner. The men were grunting as they lifted the heavy jacket. Lets see if we can keep them from getting that fossil into the SUV, I said to Bess.
Abby and her sons froze as we stepped around the garbage cans. Fancy meeting you here, I said. We stood between them and Abbys SUV.
You again! Abby muttered. What are you doing here?
Just stopped to say hi, I said.
She turned to her sons. Do something!
They stood holding the jacket between them, sweat glistening on their faces. The older one grunted, Like what? Were kind of busy here.
Well, put that thing in the car and get these girls out of here!
We did a kind of dance as the brothers tried to move toward the SUV, and Bess and I kept in their way. Finally Abby rushed forward and shoved Bess, who stumbled into me. As we caught our balance, Abby held out her arms to keep us back, while her sons staggered forward a few more steps.
An engine roared, and Jimmys truck whipped around the corner. Block the SUV! I called, pointing. He stopped directly behind it.
The brothers groaned and started staggering back toward their vehicle. When they got close, Jimmy pulled forward so he was behind it.
I guess the boys decided to cut their losses. They exchanged one look and dropped the jacket without a word. I winced as it hit the ground with a thud, and hoped the thick plaster coating would protect it.
Mom, lets get out of here! one of them yelled. They ran toward the SUV. Abby stopped trying to grapple with us and sprinted around to the drivers door. The boys tumbled into the back.
Jimmy backed up his car to block the SUV
Abby gunned the engine and backed up anyway. Her SUV smashed into the truck bed. Metal screamed and crumpled. The SUV shoved the truck back several feet. Abby turned the wheel and pulled forward. The front corner of the SUV scraped the wall as she tried to squeeze out.
Brakes screeched as a Land Rover swung around the corner. The SUV shuddered to a stop inches away. Kyle, Steffi, and George gaped at us through the windshield.
The SUV had no more room to maneuver. For a moment no one moved. Then Abby jumped out and tried to run around Jimmys truck. Her sons slid out of the SUV a moment later.
They were heading for the red truck, but they didnt have much chance now. I ran forward and blocked the drivers door. Jimmy jumped out and grabbed at one of the brothers, while Bess planted herself in front of the other one.
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George, Kyle, and Steffi joined us. A man came out of the store and called in a Spanish accent, The police are coming! You need help?
We had them surrounded. Abby glared at us. Her older son glanced around wildly, as if looking for an escape. The younger son gave up first. With a sigh, he turned and placed his hands on the car, his feet spread. He acted as though he had been arrested before.
Sirens sounded in the distance, then grew louder. A police car pulled around the corner. An officer jumped out and Jimmy quickly explained the situation. They got Abby and her sons in a line along the side of the truck. Another police car pulled up before the first officer had finished reading their rights.
Thanks for your help, Kyle said as we watched. How did you connect Abby to those men?
I grinned and explained about our research. I turned to Abby as a police officer led her to his car. Did you legally change your name to Morningstar?
She scowled, and then relented. I guess youll find out. Eback was my married name. When I divorced, I changed to Morningstar.
And all that stuff about organic food and nature spirits? George asked. That was all an act?
Abby shrugged. It helps sell crystals and jewelry. Besides, I figured no one on the dig would suspect me if they thought I was that kind of nut. But the real money is in rare fossils. One good Internet deal, and I make more money than the store makes in a year.
Did you tell your sons to put the snake in our tent? I asked.
She sneered. I did that myself. Who do you think taught them to handle snakes and spiders? They spotted the coyote den when they were out driving yesterday, but I was the one who led you to it. She sighed. Obviously, it didnt do any good.
Abby joined her sons in the back of the police car, and the officer drove off. The other officer got into his car and spent several minutes on the radio. Kyle crouched over the fossil. He examined it, then let out a sigh of relief. The jacket looks all right! He grinned up at us. I cant tell you how glad I am that you all came on this dig.
We helped Kyle get the fossil into the back of the Land Rover. Tony brought out an armload of sodas and passed them around, demanding the details of the story.
The second police officer got out of his car. Looks like the Feds will be involved in this one. Oh, by the way theres a ten-thousand-dollar reward for this capture. I guess you girls get it.
George gasped. I could almost see her counting off the things she could buy with her share. Then I saw Kyle put his arm around Steffi and pull her close. Jimmy was telling Tony about his part in the capture. He looked proud, but when he gestured toward his crumpled truck, he sighed.
I looked at George and Bess. George groaned. Were not going to get any of the money, are we?
Just think, Bess said. Jimmy could fix his truck and get started at college. Kyle and Steffi could put the money toward a down payment on a house. What do we need that compares to that?
George sighed and nodded.
Ive had an adventure, I said. You couldnt buy that with any amount of money. It sounds to me like a happy ending all around.
Kyle called over to us. Are you ready to go back to the dig? I dont think Jimmys truck is going anywhere, but he can come back with us. We still have a couple of jackets to haul out this afternoon, after lunch.
Lunch, George said. Now that sounds like a happy ending.
